A homeless man who spat at two elderly women after they refused to give him money was jailed today for 14 months.

Iain Connell, 34, launched spittle towards the victims in Glasgow city centre on December 23, 2021.

The city's sheriff court heard that teacher Joe Adams, 34, and his partner Elaine, an off-duty police officer, were walking in the area's West Nile Street.

They spotted Connell asking if "anyone had any spare change”.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly said: "The witnesses noted that he turned to elderly women.

"He asked if they had spare change and they gestured no as they walked by.

"Connell walked behind the two elderly women and stated ‘don't you care about me?'"

The pair moved from the pavement onto the road meantime.

Ms Donnelly said: "At this time, the witnesses saw Connell spit in their direction.

"It was also noted that the women looked frightened."

A police van was flagged by the witnesses as it drove by the scene.

Connell was then arrested.

Connell - who appeared in the dock wearing a surgical face mask - pleaded guilty to assaulting the two elderly women.

His lawyer told the court that a mix of medication and alcohol meant that he "can't recall" the incident in great detail.

He added: "Mr Connell says he is extremely remorseful and is not in his usual character."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly told Connell: "This was clearly a sickening crime where you preyed on vulnerable women in Glasgow going about their business.

"On this occasion it was elderly victims and further to that you spat at them during a period we are still in - a pandemic.

"A custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal."